Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron has today announced the appointment of businessman Dinesh Dhamija as his advisor on enterprise…

[He] said:

“It is a matter of great credit to the party that someone with Dinesh’s outstanding commercial record is willing to give his time to advise the Liberal Democrats.

“A nation’s wealth is in the jobs it creates. Supporting and encouraging entrepreneurship is one of my top priorities.

“His appointment is evidence of our ability to offer a credible, business-friendly opposition to the government, which is in stark contrast to Labour’s anti-business rhetoric.

“Dinesh has been a very committed supporter of the Liberal Democrats and I look forward to being able to draw on his vast business experience and his strong belief that it is in Britain’s best interest to remain in the European Union.”

Dinesh Dhamija is one of the UK’s leading international business people, a former UK Entrepreneur of the Year (2003), Asian Man of the Year (2004) and is currently president of TiE London (The Indus Entrepreneurs).

Dinesh founded ebookers.com in 1999, the first interactive British travel website and took the company public on the US Nasdaq and the London Stock Exchange. Ebookers established a market of 300 million people, by opening offices in 11 countries of Europe, taking sales from 0 to $1Billion in 5 years.

Ebookers created 2000 jobs, of which 700 were in the UK. Ebookers was sold for $471 million. [Source: Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats]

One point Tim Farron repeatedly made during the Liberal Democrat leadership contest was that he wanted to be surrounded by a diverse team.

When deciding rules for candidate selection, Lib Dem should remember they are selecting members of a team - and the best teams have a good, diverse balance. more

When it comes to an adviser on enterprise, there are plenty of traditional choices of straight, white, middle class men he could have chosen. Many of them would have done an excellent job, but wouldn’t have added to the diversity of the team around Tim. Given that diverse teams make for better teams, it’s therefore particularly good to see Tim sticking which his campaign commitment with this appointment.